Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the September 11 Attacks

This week marks a significant milestone anniversary for Americans as they reflect on the catastrophic September 11 attacks that occurred twenty-five years ago. At 8:46 a.m. on that fateful day, the first hijacked plane struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower in New York City. Seventeen minutes later, a second plane hit the South Tower, leading to the collapse of both towers. The hijackers targeted a third plane at the Pentagon, and passengers on a fourth plane heroically fought against their captors, causing the plane to crash in a rural Pennsylvania field.

Communities across the nation will gather this Friday in various ceremonies to remember the national tragedy. Here is a guide to three significant 9/11 sites and the commemorative events occurring there on the 25th anniversary.

A Seventh Moment of Silence in New York

In Manhattan, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum traditionally observes six moments of silence during its annual commemoration ceremony. These silences honor significant events tied to the attacks, such as the moments the hijackers struck the towers, the towers’ collapse, and the crashes into the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

This year, in recognition of the 25th anniversary, the museum has added a seventh moment of silence. This addition is dedicated to individuals in lower Manhattan who have died from illnesses or injuries related to the attacks—a number now surpassing the nearly 3,000 killed on September 11. The seventh silence will follow the traditional reading of names of those killed in the 2001 and 1993 World Trade Center attacks. The ceremony will be live-streamed on the museum’s website, commencing at 8:40 a.m. EDT, with the first moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., exactly 25 years after the first plane hit the North Tower.

The museum’s CEO, Beth Hillman, emphasized the importance of the vow to ‘never forget,’ particularly as time progresses and some Americans may not personally recall the event.

Among those attending Friday’s ceremony at Ground Zero are four former presidents: Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, along with former New York Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Observance at the Pentagon

An observance ceremony will be held at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. This memorial honors the 184 individuals who died when a hijacked plane crashed into the Department of Defense headquarters.

The Pentagon ceremony, commencing at 9 a.m. EDT, will include a reading of victims’ names. Plans include remarks from President Donald Trump, who is expected to deliver a speech, which you can watch live via streaming services.

The Pentagon memorial site has recently been designated as an “Affiliated Area of the National Park System,” underlining the site’s national significance. A $35 million visitor education center, slated to open in 2029, is planned near the memorial.

Remembrance in Pennsylvania

In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a ceremony will start at 8:30 a.m. EDT to honor the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93, who valiantly thwarted the hijackers’ plans. The Flight 93 National Memorial features a white marble wall bearing their names, tracing the flight path before it crashed.

The day’s remembrance includes the reading of victims’ names, musical performances, ringing of the Bells of Remembrance, and wreath layings at designated Sept. 11 attack times.

PBS News Coverage

PBS News will reflect on the events of September 11, examining the ongoing impact of the attacks. Coverage includes the recollections of pilot Heather “Lucky” Penney, who was on a “suicide mission” to stop Flight 93. Special correspondent Judy Woodruff will revisit the September 11 memorial site in New York to discuss its continued influence on Americans.

Archives from PBS News also feature poet Lucille Clifton who expressed her reactions to the attacks through a seven-poem series, capturing her visceral response to the events as they unfolded.

The 25th anniversary serves as a time for collective reflection on the enduring impact of the September 11 attacks for many Americans, underscoring the importance of remembering and honoring the lives lost.